President Dr Mohamed Muizzu met on Friday with senior academic and managerial staff at the University of Leeds to explore opportunities for collaboration in education, research, and capacity-building, aimed at advancing the Maldives' developmental goals.
During his visit, President Dr Muizzu outlined the government's strategic priorities, focusing on the significance of international partnerships in fostering academic excellence. He pointed to the potential of institutions like the University of Leeds in contributing to the creation of high-calibre academic programmes tailored to the Maldives’ needs.
The discussions brought attention to the role of the university's expertise in addressing key challenges. President Dr Muizzu highlighted efforts to modernise public services through digitalisation, improve healthcare systems, and train allied professionals. He also underscored the importance of building partnerships between the University of Leeds and the Maldives National University (MNU), particularly in designing healthcare education and training initiatives to fill critical skill gaps.
Looking to the future, the president advocated for greater professional development in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), identifying the field as a pivotal area for the nation's growth. The conversation also expanded to explore joint projects in fintech, sports, green energy, smart urban development, environmental preservation, and studying non-communicable diseases prevalent in the Maldives.
The President's Office, in a statement, underscored the importance of long-term collaboration with institutions such as the University of Leeds. These partnerships, which hinge on knowledge-sharing and research cooperation, the President's Office has said, are expected to equip Maldivian professionals and students with the tools needed to drive advancements in public health, sustainability, and technological innovation.